Homologation process making higher alcohols

Abstract

A liquid phase process for the manufacture of C 2+ alkanols by the reaction of hydrogen with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst containing ruthenium, cobalt, a halide-containing compound, and an aromatic compound substituted in adjacent ring positions by nitrogen atoms. The process embraces the use of rhodium as an additive to the catalyst system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A liquid phase process for the selective manufacture of C 2  + alkanols wherein the  yield of ethanol is greater than the yield of any of the other C 2  + alkanol products, said process being effected in a homogeneous liquid phase reaction mixture and consisting essentially of the reaction of hydrogen with carbon monoxide in the presence of methanol which is produced in situ directly from the reaction of hydrogen with carbon monoxide, and a catalyst containing ruthenium and cobalt in the form of carbonyl complexes, a halogen compound containing at least one of chlorine, bromine or iodine, and an aromatic compound which possess the structure ##STR2## wherein the carbon atoms form part of an aromatic ring and the double bonds represent aromatic unsaturation, and the nitrogen and its free valences constitute part of any group capable of forming an imidazole ring structure under the conditions of the syngas and homologation reactions or constitute part of an imidazole ring structure; said aromatic compound being soluble in said homogeneous liquid phase reaction mixture; and wherein said reaction is conducted at a pressure in the range of about 500 pounds per square inch to about 20,000 pounds per square inch and at a temperature in the range of about 100° C. to about 450° C. 
     
     
       2. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein rhodium is provided to the reaction. 
     
     
       3. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the halogen compound and the aromatic compound are the same. 
     
     
       4. The process of claim 1 carried out continuously. 
     
     
       5. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the aromatic compound is ortho-phenylenediamine. 
     
     
       6. A process as defined in claim 1, wherein the aromatic compound is 3,4-diaminotoluene. 
     
     
       7. A process as defined in claim 2, wherein the rhodium is in the form of a carbonyl complex.